Elections Archives

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Friday (5 March) called for the creation of a new European right-wing force for "our type of people" who want to protect their families and homeland.

Italian municipal and regional elections originally planned for late spring will be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the government said on Thursday (4 March), amid signs of a surge in cases due to new variants.

As the European Commission is about to unveil the EU's new Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for the next decade, Krzysztof Pater writes about one of the areas where discrimination is still acutely felt – the right to vote, effectively denied to many persons with disabilities across Europe.

Bulgaria will reopen restaurants from March and lift a ban on nightclubs from April, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Wednesday (24 February), betting on a vaccination programme and a solid number of recoveries from COVID-19.

At present, it is impossible to predict with confidence who will be the winner of the Hungarian parliamentary elections in 2022, writes Szabolcs Dull.

Like it or not, elections have been held and will continue to be held despite COVID-19 – and the pandemic will continue to leave its impact. Some elections and referendums in the EU in 2020 were postponed while others were held …

The biblical analogies with Italy’s new government are not just confined to the figure of Mario Draghi, they involve his ‘unusual’ new disciples too.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi called on Italians on Wednesday (17 February) to pull together to help rebuild the country following the coronavirus pandemic and promised his new government would introduce sweeping reforms to revitalise the battered economy. In his maiden speech …

The European Union's former Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said on Tuesday (16 February) he was setting up a political faction under the name "Patriot and European", fuelling rumours that he was mulling a possible bid in next year's presidential election.

Germany and financial circles expressed optimism at the taking over of the helm in Italy by Mario Draghi, a former head of the European Central Bank, nicknamed as ‘Super Mario’ by some media for his ability to navigate treacherous waters.

After the narrow win of socialist party candidate Salvador Illa in Catalonia's regional elections on Sunday (14 February), the first round of negotiations began on Monday to build a new – likely pro-independence – government in Spain's most prosperous region, EURACTIV’s partner EuroEFE reports. 

Separatist parties won enough seats on Sunday (14 February) in Catalonia’s regional parliament to strengthen their majority, although a strong showing for the local branch of Spain’s ruling Socialists pointed to a dialogue, rather than breakup, with Madrid.

A leading Member of the European Parliament is organising a debate on Wednesday (10 February) intended to overturn a decision by the assembly's President David Sassoli not to open an office in Brussels representing the Belarus opposition, presumably under the advice of EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen goes on trial Wednesday (10 February) on charges she broke hate speech laws by tweeting pictures of Islamic State atrocities, a case she has slammed as a violation of free speech.

Italy's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement said on Monday (8 February)  it would consult members on whether it should back a government led by former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi, increasing the uncertainty over the make-up of his coalition.

Mario Draghi, the man credited with saving the eurozone in 2012 at the height of the debt crisis, may now be tapped to help one of its weakest links, Italy.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has resigned Tuesday (26 January) in the hope of forming a new government after weeks of turmoil in his ruling coalition, leaving Italy rudderless as it battles the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

Kaja Kallas of the Reform party (Renew Europe) became Estonia's first female prime minister on Monday (25 January) after parliament approved her nomination following predecessor Jüri Ratas' resignation over an inquiry into a property development.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte survived a vote of confidence Tuesday (19 January) but failed to secure an overall majority in parliament, leaving his ruling coalition severely weakened as it battles the coronavirus pandemic.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will on Tuesday (19 January) face a vote of confidence in parliament, seeking the Senate's support for his teetering government as it battles a deadly coronavirus pandemic.

Germany's ruling conservative CDU will choose its new leader on Saturday. Whoever of the three candidates wins has the best chance of becoming the next chancellor - and thus one of the most powerful people in Europe. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Italy was plunged into political crisis Wednesday (13 January) after former premier Matteo Renzi withdrew his party from the ruling coalition, risking the collapse of the government in the middle of a raging coronavirus pandemic.

Germany's Christian Democrats are set to elect their new leader among the three candidates vying for top post this weekend. But the winner might not necessarily go on to become the party's designated candidate to run for the chancellorship in this year’s general election.

Germany's conservative CDU party will pick a new leader on Saturday (16 January) from three candidates: moderate Armin Laschet, arch-conservative Friedrich Merz and outsider Norbert Röttgen.